The Humanitarian Imperative

What is the humanitarian imperative? When first given this question, I realized the answer wasn’t obvious to me. After having been in this sociology class for the past two weeks, I have come to understand that there is a lot I don’t know about the humanitarian aid and sociology concepts in general. After having taken business classes for the past four years, I am not used to thinking more in depth about our place in the world when it comes to aid and our role in the humanitarian system. From researching and reflecting on our class sessions, I can gather that the humanitarian imperative is our role in the global community to help those suffering however they need. The actual definition of the humanitarian imperative, according to UNICEF is, “Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable in the population, such as children, women, the displaced and the elderly. The dignity and rights of all those in need of humanitarian assistance must be respected and protected” (UNICEF).

I think that this is a good definition of the humanitarian imperative because it does address focusing on those who are more vulnerable and making sure they are receiving aid, as well as paying close attention to their rights and dignity. I think that the humanitarian imperative is not always followed as there have been many events in the past where the dignity of those receiving aid may not have been a top priority.

When considering the humanitarian imperative and whether or not it is a western concept, I found myself thinking about the White Savior Complex again, and how that related to the humanitarian imperative. The feeling of needing to be involved and having to go “save” others can be looked at as a very western concept. It is often looked at as people needing to get themselves involved to feel good. Although it may seem like a good thing, that it is our duty to always address suffering and help others, I think that people’s intentions may not always be in the right place, and we may not always fulfill this duty. As Teju Cole explained with the White Savior Complex and the Kony2012 video, after seeing the video people thought they had to be “saviors” and got involved because it was popular and the event of the moment. Cole stated, “But beyond the immediate attention the he rightly pays hungry mouths, child soldiers, or raped civilians, there are more complex and more widespread problems. There are serious problems of governance, of infrastructure, of democracy, and of law and order” (Cole). Just because this video addressed this one problem in Africa, doesn’t mean there aren’t many other greater issues that need humanitarian aid. This makes me think that the humanitarian imperative is a somewhat western concept, as we have great urges to get ourselves involved, even if not necessary.

Empathy is another large factor when it comes to the humanitarian imperative. Having empathy is not the issue when it comes to aid work, as it is necessary to have this quality when helping others. However, the two are very connected and can also sometimes push people towards intervening. Naturally, people are driven to help others and feel a sense of empathy for those struggling around them. As we talked about in class, if any one of us walked outside and saw someone bleeding we would go to them and want to help (SOC371:2-13). It is a natural sense of human’s emotion to do this. There is an urge to help others if we see them hurting and people believe that it is their ethical duty. I think that the humanitarian imperative was built on the fact that empathy will drive our motivation to help others, but it isn’t always without corruption or the wrong reasons behind it.

In conclusion, it is clear that our humanitarian aid system needs some changes, but the basis of the humanitarian imperative is built on good motives. As Roberta Cohen said there is now a, “merging international responsibility to protect and assist persons within their own countries” (Cohen). I think that the humanitarian aid is a somewhat western concept, but people all around the world also have this need to get involved and offer aid to others. It is how we go about it and the way we involve ourselves in issues around the world that needs to be reflected on and hopefully improved.

This TedTalk describes what Erin Kilborn, a humanitarian and doctor, believes actually makes a humanitarian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFPB5qjhHgo

After Class Notes:

After our discussion in class about the humanitarian imperative, there were many other points that I hadn’t considered. The concept of mirror neurons was very interesting to me as I had never really heard of them prior to this class. It was interesting hearing about the biological drive that we have to help others. The social exchange theory was another concept that I thought was important when thinking about the humanitarian imperative. If humans cannot give without expecting something in return, what does that say about humanitarian aid. I thought it was interesting when thinking about foreign aid in the United States and the fact that we are giving our aid to the countries that we can get something back from, not those that are most needy.

Works Cited:

Being/Becoming a Global Citizen (SOC 376: 2-13)

Cole, Teju. “The White-Savior Industrial Complex.” The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2012.

Cohen, Roberta. “Humanitarian Imperatives are Transforming Sovereighty.” Brookings, 1 Jan. 2008.

“UNICEF’s Humanitarian Principles.” UNICEF, July 2003,